"Sperm donation - have you got the balls?"

[davieG]

Sports players and fans are being targeted in a campaign to get more sperm donors to help couples struggling to conceive.

The National Gamete Donation Trust wants to increase the number of new donors in the UK to about 500, from its latest figure of 384.

Leaflets and posters are being sent to 30 sports clubs and venues in the pilot area of Greater Manchester.

The posters pose the question "Sperm donation - have you got the balls?"

One in six couples in the UK struggles to conceive and some areas have waiting lists for those who need donor sperm.

It is hoped that the sports theme of the posters will encourage more men to come forward.

One says: "Strong swimmers wanted" and another encourages volunteers with "Whatever your shape and size, couples need your help".

The number of new sperm donors dipped in the UK in 2004 to 224. The law changed in 2005, meaning egg and sperm donors did not have the right to anonymity.

But since then the number of new donors has increased with 384 registering in 2008.

The children of donors can trace their biological parents when they reach 18.

Donors are not paid, but can claim expenses.

Laura Witjens, chairwoman of the National Gamete Donation Trust, said: "In the UK there are hundreds of couples who need a sperm donor to help them conceive the child they long for so much, either because of infertility or genetic disease.

"These couples rely on men stepping forward as sperm donors."

In the latest figures from 2006, there were 5,000 cycles of fertility treatment in the UK which used donor sperm.

[Jon the Hat]

I feel for those who have to rely on donor sperm to have a child. I have to say though that the thought of giving donor sperm and not knowing who it goes to and what life your potential child might have is very off putting. Add to that the prospect of them knowing who you are when they reach 18 and it is not a very appealling scheme. I do think giving children the right to know their genetic parents in donor situations is taking things too far and should be repealed and replaced with appropriate medical and genetic information being held on file annonymously.

[Smiffy]

Maybe they should shift their attention to trying to get orphans adopted. When there are kids looking for parents and parents looking for kids you'd think that would be the logical option.

[davieG]

Maybe they should shift their attention to trying to get orphans adopted. When there are kids looking for parents and parents looking for kids you'd think that would be the logical option.

Knowing someone who's try to take up that option I'm surprised anyone ever gets adopted, granted they need to vet these people but the hoops and the interrogation they have to go through is so difficult and stressful I'm surprised anyone stays the course. Perhaps that's the intention to test resolve . It also seems to take forever, well it's been nigh on a year so far.

[FoxyPV]

We went through IVF for the baby but went abroad because we couldn't qualify for the free go on the NHS. It was cheaper and had a higher success rate. Where we went they offered egg and sperm donation but the donors were paid and remained anonymous.

I wouldn't want to donate and then for someone turn up 18 years later trying to build a relationship when all you regarded them as was nothing more than a good natured wank. it's nice to know where you're genetics come from but at the end of the day your parents are the ones who raised you not necessarily the ones you share you DNA with. Nuture over nature everytime.

We looked into adoption and found it to be almost impossible due all the hoops you had to jump through - most of the kids that are up for adoption have been really badly abused etc and are at least 2/3, but mostly older and i think this is what puts people off as they want a blank canvas to work with i.e. a baby.